Dental expert warns adults about the “parent tax” this Halloween
While children’s oral health is often in the spotlight at Halloween, parents sneakily dipping into their children’s trick-or-treat bags – a habit nicknamed the “parent tax” – often fly under the radar.
NHS guidelines recommend adults consume no more than 30g of sugar per day*, so just a handful of fun-size treats could exceed the daily limit.
Miranda Pascucci, Head of Clinical Education and Dental Therapist at TePe, hopes to remind parents to incorporate healthy oral habits into their own routines this Halloween, ensuring the whole family stays protected from cavities, enamel erosion and gum disease.
The Parent Tax
“Halloween is often seen as a sugar-heavy holiday for children, but parents are just as likely to consume more than usual,” explains Miranda. “We call it the ‘parent tax’: the habit of dipping into your child’s sweet stash while they aren’t looking, and it can have a real impact on adult oral health.”
“Many parents focus on protecting their children’s teeth, but fewer consider the impact of their own consumption habits, particularly when sampling from the trick-or-treat bucket.”
“Every time we snack on sugary treats, our teeth are exposed to acids that weaken enamel and feed bacteria. The more often this happens, the greater the risk of decay and gum disease.”
“There are several steps your family can take this Halloween to prevent damage to teeth. Good oral health isn’t just important for children – it matters for all of us.
TePe’s Top Tips for Good Family Oral Health
Stick to the 3-Minute Rule
Miranda recommends families update their two-minute brushing routine to embrace a three-minute clean, keeping teeth and gums healthy.
“I recommend a three-minute routine - two minutes of brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride, and one minute cleaning between teeth, using TePe Interdental Brushes or floss. Brushing alone only cleans about 60% of the surface, so interdental cleaning is essential to tackle the hidden 40%.”
“Taking extra care at this time of year is important, especially when sticky toffees and hard-boiled sweets can get stuck in hard-to-reach places between the teeth.”
Make Friends with Fluoride
“Children under the age of 3 should use a fluoride toothpaste with at least 1,000 parts of fluoride per million, whilst children aged 7 and over – and adults – should use a toothpaste that contains 1450PPM fluoride.
“Try a gentle, daily use toothpaste – such as TePe Daily Kids for under 7s or TePe Daily™ for children over 7–which is not only effective against cavities, but is created with the whole family in mind, with tailored fluoride levels for each age group.”
Don’t Rush the Brush
“Brushing straight after eating sweets can do more harm than good. Sugary foods temporarily soften the enamel on your teeth, and brushing too soon can wear it away. Instead, wait around 30 minutes after eating to give your enamel time to recover. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum to help neutralise acids and protect your teeth. Taking this small pause can make a big difference to your long-term oral health.”
Save Treats for Mealtimes
“It’s not just how much sugar we eat at Halloween, but how often. Grazing throughout the day keeps teeth under constant attack. Incorporating sweets as part of family meals is far less harmful, as saliva helps wash away sugar and neutralise acid.”
Brush Together, Twice a Day
“Brushing together as a family twice a day helps children build lasting habits, and ensures parents stay on top of their own dental hygiene too.
“Using fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss is the best way to keep the whole family safe from cavities, gum disease and enamel erosion long after the spooky season ends.
“Regular trips to the dentist can also help fend off any potential scares by identifying early signs of enamel erosion, cavities, or other dental issues before they become serious.
